Stratford, CT Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage Limits (2026)

The Section 3.2.1 dimensional table in the Stratford Zoning Regulations lists two maximums for each Single-Family Residence District: Building Coverage and Impervious Coverage. RS-1 allows 10% building coverage and 20% impervious coverage. RS-2 allows 15% and 30%. RS-3 allows 20% and 40%. RS-4 allows 25% and 50%. The larger the minimum lot, the smaller the share of it that can be covered. The Two and Three Family Residence District (RM-1) in Section 3.2.2 allows 33 1/3% building coverage and 66 2/3% impervious coverage, with a footnote setting a minimum lot area per family dwelling unit of 2,500 square feet or as specified in Section 5.1.

The two limits measure different things, and the Regulations define both. Building coverage is the percentage of a property occupied or intended to be occupied by all buildings and structures, such as, but not limited to, a home, deck, garage, shed, pergola, exterior kitchens, exterior stairs, and areas covered by roofs. Building area divided by lot area equals building coverage. Water bodies, water courses, tidal wetlands and freshwater inland wetlands as defined in Chapter 440 of the Connecticut General Statutes are not used in computing the maximum allowable building coverage.

Impervious area is any land or portion of a site covered by constructed features which prevent the direct percolation of surface water into the underlying earth. Examples named in the definition include buildings, paved parking and roadways, masonry walls and terraces, swimming pools, sidewalks, hard surface playing courts and paved driveways. Lawns, gravel or shell for sidewalks and driveways, clay courts and natural ponds are not impervious. A pool, patio or driveway therefore counts against the impervious limit even though it is not a building.

Section 3.2.1(C) adds that supplemental dimensional standards in Section 4.4 and Section 6 also apply, and Section 1.4.3 applies the stricter requirement when provisions conflict. The Board of Zoning Appeals can grant a variance under Section 7.3.5 only for hardship tied to the parcel itself.